Michigan State vs. Maryland Prediction, Game Preview

The Michigan State Spartans will make the trip to East Lansing, Mich. to play the Maryland Terrapins in the Breslin Center. Below is the Michigan State vs. Maryland prediction and game preview.

Michigan State vs. Maryland Game Preview

Game Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, Jan. 23
Game Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Breslin Center, East Lansing, Mich.
Network: ESPN

Why You Need To Care

The No. 7-ranked Terrapins are led by one of the nation’s top point guards — and likely NBA lottery pick — Melo Trimble. Maryland is 17-2 overall and 6-1 in Big Ten play thus far, having won their last two games against Ohio State and Northwestern.

The Terps’ last loss was to Michigan two weeks ago, 70-67.

Now, they’ll head to East Lansing, Mich. to visit No. 11 Michigan State. The Spartans, after starting the season 13-0, have lost their last three games and four of their last seven.

Michigan State’s last outing ended in a 72-71 loss to Nebraska on Wednesday.

Why Michigan State Will Win

Denzel Valentine absolutely lit it up against the Cornhuskers with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, but the most impressive part was his 6-of-8 performance from three-point territory. The Spartans have to get a more consistent effort from Bryn Forbes, though. He only had three points against Nebraska, was 1-of-8 from the field and 1-of-5 from three. On top of that, Deyonta Davis and Matt Costello, if he’s healthy enough to play, have to continue to rebound tenaciously.

Why Maryland Will Win

Trimble is never easy to guard, and he still put up 18 points against Northwestern in spite of his 1-of-6 shooting from downtown. He still makes a big impact with his ability to find open looks for his teammates. Rasheed Sulaimon can’t have another 0-for-4 night from the field. He has to provide some secondary scoring to keep the Spartans honest. If Robert Carter pulls down some rebounds and limits his turnovers, the Terps will be fine.

What’s Going To Happen?

Valentine and Trimble are going to both go off with big scoring nights. Valentine might push for 30, and Trimble will hit the 20-point mark while compiling at least a handful of assists. Sulaimon and Forbes will both shoot better for their teams, but Forbes will provide slightly more. Costello will control the glass, and the Spartans will defend their home court for the win.